10.06 The Power and the Glory II


ACT THREE

FADE IN

The courtyard in the fortress. A platform has been set up. Soldiers are gathered around it. Xena is standing beside Pandion off to the side. Ares stands on one side of the platform, Zarek on the other. They are posed in a boxing stance.

Zarek advances on Ares and swings his right fist toward Ares' face. Ares ducks under the punch and swings at Zarek, missing his face and hitting him in the shoulder. Zarek staggers back. They circle each other for a moment, then Zarek attacks again. Ares catches his fist and pushes him back but Zarek lands a punch with his other fist right into Ares' face. Ares pulls back, his lip broken and bleeding. He turns to stare at Zarek.

ARES (grins):
     So you can bite.

Ares swings left and right, Zarek dodges the blows and spins around to kick Ares in the back. Ares notices his intent and turns around. When Zarek goes to kick him, Ares grabs his foot and pushes him back so he falls to the platform with a thud. Ares stands above him, grinning again. Zarek looks angry. Ares grabs him by the shoulders and pulls him to his feet, then punches him quickly on one side of the face and then the other. Zarek staggers and Ares knocks him down with a punch to the chest.

Ares walks up to Zarek who isn't trying to get up, his face bleeding.

ARES:
     I guess we're done here.

Ares steps over him and turns to the crowd. Some of the soldiers begin to cheer.

ZAREK (spits out some blood):
     Not yet.

Zarek stands as Ares turns. Before Ares has time to react, Zarek punches one of the soldiers nearby, and takes the sword from his hand as he falls, knocked out cold. Zarek turns and swings toward Ares. Ares ducks out of the way of the blade as it passes just over his head.

CUT TO

From the crowd, Xena watches cautiously as Zarek swings with fury toward Ares again and Ares dodges out of the way. She turns, looking around, then her eyes lock on something and she moves through the crowd.

CUT TO

Zarek swings and Ares grabs his arm, pushing him back, the edge of the sword nicking Ares on the forearm.

ZAREK (steps back):
     You're not fit to lead these men. You've become soft.

ARES (mocks the insult):
     Soft. I'll show you soft.

Ares

Ares spins around and kicks him in the chest, knocking him back, then backhands him across the face.

XENA:
     Ares!

Ares looks up. Xena is standing beside the platform holding his sword. She tosses the sword to him and he catches it. He looks at Zarek, holding the sword out.

Then their swords clash.

ZAREK (locking blades with Ares and holding there for a moment):
     Artemis has to be stopped--her cult, destroyed! You know that better than anyone. (he pushes back, the blades slide across each other) But you've grown weak . (Zarek swings again and Ares moves out of the way) You have...principles. (glances at Xena in the crowd, scoffs, then turns back to Ares) Her principles. You used to be a god; now, you're not even your own man.

Zarek tires to kick Ares in the side but Ares narrowly moves out of the way.

ZAREK (stopping the fight momentarily, he points the sword at Ares' throat):
     Face it, without your godhood, you're nothing.

We finally see Ares' reactions to all of this. He looks up, staring Zarek straight in the eye. His eyes are dark and angry, displaying a fire we've not seen from him since he was a god.

Zarek swings again. Ares pushes him back with a powerful force. It knocks Zarek off the platform and onto the ground. The soldiers move out of the way, giving them room. His eyes dark, Ares jumps off the platform, staring down at Zarek as he gets to his feet and attacks again. The two of them get in a few good swings but Ares seems more determined than before. He smacks Zarek across the face, grabbing his shoulder and head-butting him hard. Zarek teeters a bit. Ares slices Zarek's arm with the edge of his sword as Zarek falls back.

From the sidelines, Xena watches with concern and distress. Some of the soldiers are cheering him on but many are too stunned by Ares' sudden change in attitude to do anything but watch in silence.

Now that Zarek is on the ground, Ares kicks him a few times in the gut. Zarek grabs a handful of dirt and throws it toward Ares' face. Ares closes his eyes but it doesn't distract him enough. Zarek doesn't have time to rise before Ares steps on his sword hand, pressing down hard until he releases his grip on the handle.

Ares

ARES (looking down at Zarek, darkly):
     No one mocks the God of War and gets away with it.

In a swift motion, Ares thrusts his sword down into Zarek's chest. Blood trickles from the wound and Zarek gasps. The crowd of soldiers around them falls to an eerie silence. Ares grasps the handle of the sword, pulling it out of his chest and Zarek cries out.

Ares stares down at him and his anger almost immediately gives way to regret. Zarek gasps and sputters for air in a few short breaths before finally falling limp.

Pandion rushes toward him, kneeling down.

Blood drips from his sword. Ares looks up and sees Xena watching him from a distance. Their eyes lock.

DISSOLVE TO

Ares is in his room standing in front of a water bowl. He runs a cloth along the blade of his sword, washing the blood away. The blade becomes polished and he holds it up, looking into it.

The sound of the thrust of Ares' sword into Zarek's chest and the sounds of his cries echo in Ares' mind.

Ares stares into the blade, conflicted. He turns it slightly and the fuzzy reflection of Xena appears in it. Ares turns back to see Xena standing beside the doorway. She looks in his direction but doesn't make a move toward him.

Ares sighs and lowers his sword, laying it across the tabletop.

Xena

XENA (steps up, quietly):
     Did he really have to die?

ARES (trying to conceal his discomfort):
     He got what he deserved.

XENA (not buying it):
     Really.

Ares

ARES (snaps):
     He defied me. No one defies--

Xena

XENA (interrupts):
     --the God of War?

Ares looks away, clearly troubled--the emotions affecting him more than he wants to let on. Xena is about to touch Ares' arm with a sympathetic gesture when suddenly, a guard rushes into the room, out of breath.

GUARD:
     You must come quick.

Ares and Xena share a glance, then follow the guard out of the room.

CUT TO

Outside the fortress. Several soldiers are gathered in a circle around something in front of them. Ares pushes his way through the crowd, with Xena not far behind, and finds a wounded man lying on the ground. He's holding a scroll, covered in his own blood. Ares kneels down.

ARES:
     What happened?

MAN (breaths):
     An attack...on Oenoe. (Ares gives him an understanding and concerned look) Brygus...

The man gasps and dies. Ares looks up and then stands. Ares looks over to see Pandion standing nearby, some men gathering Zarek into a wagon behind him. Pandion stands silent for a long moment.

ARES (to the men around him):
     He's meeting up with an ally. We head out now.

Xena watches him silently and Ares turns from her, heading back toward his room. Xena follows him. They pass Pandion who is still standing silent. Ares slows and stops in front of him.

PANDION:
     Go. Stop Brygus. I have to stay here.

He looks sadly across from him. Beside a building, Nicos is sitting on the ground, looking off into the distance, his face wet from tears.

Pandion

PANDION (sadly):
     For Nicos' sake.

Ares offers a nod and walks on.

CUT TO

Ares, in armor once more, rides out of the fortress with Xena, Iona and a few other soldiers.

CUT TO

Oenoe. People are huddled in a corner in fear. Brygus, with many soldiers around him, are standing in front of the frightened villagers. Brygus walks back and fourth, tauntingly. Some of Brygus' soldiers are holding some of the villagers hostage, with knives at their throats.

The sound of hoofbeats are heard. Brygus turns around to find Ares, Xena, Iona and a few other men riding into the village. Brygus grins.

BRYGUS (shouts):
      You're just in time!

Ares stops his horse and jumps off. Xena follows, both of them drawing their weapons and walking toward Brygus and his men.

BRYGUS:
     I was expecting you.

ARES:
      So where's your warlord friend?

BRYGUS (shrugs):
      Plans have changed.

ARES:
      Really. Why? So you can finish where you left off? Because I seem to remember--though with the bruise you gave me (rubs his forehead) things have been a little fuzzy--you let me go. On purpose.

BRYGUS:
     You needed softening up before the big finish.

XENA (steps forward, snarls):
     Just get to the point.

BRYGUS:
     Ooooh. She's feisty. (winks at Ares) I like that. (turns around) The only way I can truly be respected as a god (there are a few gasps that come from the villagers) is if I prove to the masses that I am one. The one. (turns back around to Ares, grinning even more) What better way than fighting--and defeating--the former God of War himself? (cocky) The final step in passing the mantle of the Godhood of War from you...to me.

ARES (angry):
     You have no respect for that power.

BRYGUS:
     I have plenty of respect. Do you?

This catches Ares slightly off guard and one of Brygus' soldiers attacks him. Xena turns to Brygus, drawing her sword and advancing on him.

BRYGUS:
     Have you forgotten? Your days as Slayer of Gods are long over, Xena.

XENA (through gritted teeth):
     Don't be so sure.

A fight breaks out. Brygus uses his powers this time, Xena and Ares, Iona and the few soldiers fight well, having to dodge fireballs and lightning bolts. Brygus' fireballs strike some of the buildings, setting them ablaze. Xena and Ares fight against the backdrop of the fire.

Xena flips and lands behind Brygus. He spins around, and lets loose a fireball that misses her.

XENA:
     You need to practice your aim!

She runs and jumps over him again, landing beside Ares once more.

Though Brygus is a god, Ares holds his own well, dodging fireballs when needed but fighting in hand to hand combat at other times. Brygus corners Ares, knocking him down with a kick, while Xena is busy fighting four of Brygus' soldiers. Brygus whirls around to face Ares, smirking. Then he sends a lightning bolt toward Ares and Ares ducks out of the way as it catches another building behind them on fire.

Xena has now come up behind Brygus and kicks him hard (while he is distracted by looking at Ares). The force brings Brygus forward, stumbling. Xena pushes him hard again and he falls momentarily against a building, a black stone ring with a smooth blue stone inlaid into the band at the top, falls off his finger and slides across the dirt.

Ring

He turns back to Xena, snarling. He holds out his hand to send a fireball her way but nothing happens. He looks back in bewilderment at his hand, as do Xena and Ares, and tries again but nothing.

Glancing sideways, he sees the ring lying in the dirt.

XENA (realizing, seeing the look on his face as he stares at the ring):
      So that's the source of your godhood!

She glances at Ares and the two of them go into action. They charge forward, Ares dives into the sand just as Brygus has put his hand over the ring. Ares grabs his wrist but Brygus wiggles away. In a split second he puts the ring on his finger and disappears in a flash of blue, Ares and Xena tumbling down together. The moment their leader is gone, Brygus' men retreat, running out of the village.

Ares and Xena stand up.

ARES (business-like, to Iona and the others):
     Our work here is done.

Ares walks over to his horse, mounts and rides off. Xena watches him leave, showing concern.

DISSOLVE TO

Outside the fortress, under a tree. There is a mound of dirt and Nicos stands above it, looking down at it. His eyes are sad and still tearful. Pull back to show the scene from Ares' room in the fortress where Ares sits beside the window on the bed, looking out at Nicos from a distance.

Xena walks in. She stops, looking at him for a moment. When he doesn't react to her presence, she comes forward slowly.

XENA (trying to break the silence):
     Now we know Brygus' secret. I told Pandion. He said now we have a real shot at defeating him. He's right. (smiles, trying to lighten the mood a little) Now it's only a matter of time before we win. (still getting no reaction from Ares, she sits down next to him, looking out the window at the boy and the grave) You--did what needed to be done.

ARES (not looking at her):
     That never made you feel better, did it?

He looks up at her and she gives him a thoughtful, grim look, the pain evident in his eyes. He turns, glancing out the window again.

Ares

ARES:
     Mortality really does suck.

Xena touches his hand.

XENA (breaking the uncomfortable silence):
     So what now?

ARES (determined):
     I'll stop Brygus. Somehow.

XENA:
     And then what? (off Ares' probing look, Xena sighs) How long do you think you'll be leading this army?

Ares is thoughtful.

XENA (softly):
     This is something you need, isn't it.

She looks down. Ares touches her hand that is resting in her lap.

ARES (softly):
     Maybe you're right.

Xena looks up, giving him a startled look.

ARES:
     I may be mortal, Xena--but I'm not...

He pauses as Xena watches him expectantly.

XENA:
     What?

ARES:
     I'm not your sidekick.

Xena

XENA (shocked):
      Sidekick! We have a life together. (pause) If this is about what Zarek said--

ARES:
     It's not about that. (after a pause) It's not really my life, is it. It's yours and Gabrielle's life, and I've had to fit into it. (sighs) When I gave up my godhood--again--I knew what to expect, and it's worth it. But mortal or not, Xena, I am not you. The Greater Good is not my calling.

XENA (stands up):
     So you're saying you'd rather lead an army than fight by my side.

ARES:
     No. (he stands) I'm saying that sometimes...I need something for myself. Right now, this is it.

Xena nods.

XENA (briskly):
     I should be going.

She turns to leave and Ares grabs her arm quickly.

ARES:
     Xena.

She stops and turns back. He holds her stare for a moment, her gaze softening.

XENA:
     I understand. (changing the subject) I've got to get back to the village, try to find a way to make the people see what Brygus and Artemis are up to. And now that we know he's not a full god, we have an advantage. We just have to make them believe it.

ARES (touches her hand again):
     Good luck.

CUT TO

Ares is standing along the wall of the fortress watching as Xena rides away on Argo. Without noticing, Pandion walks up behind him. Ares turns around and they share a tense look before Pandion finally sighs.

PANDION (looking out toward Zarek's grave):
     You did what you had to do. (softly) I know--

ARES (shakes head, not looking at Pandion):
     No, I could have done it differently.

There is a long pause.

ARES (quietly):
     He was a friend of yours, huh.

PANDION:
     He was my brother. (Off Ares' shocked look) Half-brother. We were never very close; he was taken from our mother to live with his father when we were very young. I rarely saw him growing up.

Ares nods.

PANDION (continues):
     Zarek was always angry. He didn't always show it but it was there.

ARES (nods, understanding):
     Angry at Artemis. I get that. She's been a problem for us all.

PANDION:
     Not in the same way. Zarek used to be one of her commanders.

ARES (shocked):
     What?

PANDION:
     The only man ever to command one of her temple armies. She promised him power, glory, wealth... And then, there was--an indiscretion with one of her virgin priestesses. (Pan to Ares, who nods knowingly) She spared his life--but took away everything else. His anger at Artemis made him turn to you, and he became one of your most devoted followers. (Pandion shakes his head) But he let that anger cloud his mind. And now, his boy is suffering because of his rashness.

ARES (sighs and shakes his head):
     I wish--

PANDION (interrupts):
     What's done is done. I just hope Nicos is strong enough to deal with it.

They share a quiet look.

CUT TO

The village. Xena rides in and dismounts near a building, hearing the sounds of voices shouting in the distance.

CUT TO

A raucous of villagers in the center of the village. They are divided, Gabrielle is doing her best to calm the crowd as are Makis and Rena.

VILLAGER #1 (shouting across at another villager):
     If Artemis protects us, why would she let this village burn?! (points toward Gabrielle) They were right--we've been deceived.

VILLAGER #2 (angry):
     Artemis has many followers; she can't be there for every single one.

VILLAGER #3:
     Then what good is her protection?

Gabrielle

GABRIELLE (holds out her hands):
     Fighting amongst ourselves is not going to do anyone any good!

XENA (off-camera):
     She's right.

The villagers turn to see Xena walking up. Gabrielle turns, giving her a slightly relieved smile.

XENA (taking charge):
     Go back to your homes. Fix the damage that has been done rather than fighting over who is to blame.

Xena glances across at Makis and Rena. They nod, then turn to the crowd.

MAKIS (to the people):
     Please. Do as she says.

The people begin to disperse, some of them grumbling under their breath, some giving Gabrielle and Xena, but mostly Xena, dirty looks. Gabrielle walks up to her.

GABRIELLE:
     Thanks. (Xena nods) So what happened? You've been gone longer than I thought you would be. I was getting worried.

XENA:
     I stopped them. They won't be coming back to cause trouble anymore.

GABRIELLE:
     Who were they?

XENA:
     Ares' men.

Gabrielle looks at her in shock; Xena responds with a grim stare.

XENA:
     Long story.

GABRIELLE (still shocked):
     Ares!

XENA:
     He's leading them against Brygus.

GABRIELLE (taking in this information):
     Ares at the head of an army...

XENA (nods):
     For now.

GABRIELLE:
     Do you know how long it will last?

Xena shakes her head.

DISSOLVE TO

A room in the house. Gabrielle is changing Samuel while Xena looks on.

GABRIELLE:
     So what is Ares planning to do now that he knows Brygus isn't a god?

XENA:
     Stop him.

GABRIELLE:
     How?

XENA:
     The usual way.

She gives Gabrielle a long look, then turns away, lost in thought.

GABRIELLE (glances at Xena):
     Anything you want to talk about?

Xena hesitates for a long moment.

XENA:
     I can't make him into something he's not.

GABRIELLE:
     Who, Ares?

A long silence.

Gabrielle

GABRIELLE:
     He'll make the right choice in the end.

XENA (repeating Gabrielle's words):
     The right choice... (pause) For him or for me?

She and Gabrielle share a long silence as Gabrielle puts a comforting arm around Xena's shoulder as we:

FADE OUT

END OF ACT THREE